Economics, Politics and Public Policy in East Asia and the Pacific
Author: Arjuna Dibley, ANU
Eclipsed by the clamorous debate surrounding a 14 year-old Australian boy allegedly caught purchasing marijuana in Bali recently, some important developments in Australia’s relationship with Indonesia went largely unnoticed.
In Jakarta, 20 Australians and Indonesians met at the inaugural Indonesia-Australia Dialogue (IAD) on 5–6 October. Read more…
Author: Nazry Bahrawi, NUS
A decade after 9/11, the pursuit of ‘moderate Islam’ as the antithesis to ‘radical Islam’ has changed the contours of Islamic theology in Southeast Asia in unimaginable ways.
But, while largely positive, this scramble for moderate Islam can run counter to the progressive ideal of pluralism if touted overzealously. Read more…
Authors: Chris Manning, ANU, and Raden M Purnagunawan, Padjadjaran University
Although there are some uncertainties, the Indonesian economy is well placed for what will now almost certainly be a sharp downturn in the world economy.
Foreign reserves were at a record high at just under US$120 billion at the end of the second quarter, inflation was down to below 5 per cent, investment up significantly, and growth steady at 6.5 per cent year on year. Certainly, macroeconomic policymakers are not ignoring the potential impact of another global recession; but Indonesia seems relatively unaffected by the immediate- to medium-term impacts of the US’s much slower-than-expected recovery in August and the ongoing debt crisis in Europe. Read more…
Author: Martin van Bruinessen, Utrecht University
The idea of Indonesia leading the third world was not only thinkable half a century ago, it even appeared as reality — briefly.
Since that time there has been some attempt at raising Indonesia’s international profile as a leading Muslim nation, and its visibility and global import have increased. But it is not yet a country that other Muslims look to for leadership. Read more…
Author: Frank Jotzo, ANU
Indonesia is among the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, and it has committed to cut its carbon footprint.
Can Indonesia achieve its goals, what is its role in the region, and how could developed countries assist? Read more…
Author: Shiro Armstrong, ANU
Australia at last is taking up the challenge of comprehensively thinking through its new strategic circumstance in Asia, and taking Asia seriously.
On 28 September, Prime Minister Julia Gillard gave a timely and important speech to launch a new White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century. Read more…
Author: Andrew Elek, ANU
The global economy has another serious bout of the jitters around the deep problems in Europe and uncertain recovery in the United States.
The IMF meetings in Washington may have temporarily allayed the effects of the collapse in global confidence but there remain big challenges for the G20 in developing a response to the threat of the world’s slipping back into recession.
Author: Maria Monica Wihardja, CSIS, Jakarta
Indonesia has made numerous global, regional and national commitments on structural reform via its (mostly non-binding) commitments in the G20, APEC, OECD and ASEAN.
The challenge is how to translate these commitments into domestic priorities, plans and policies. Read more…
Author: Peter Drysdale, Editor, East Asia Forum
Indonesia is undoubtedly one of the most under-estimated countries in Asia.
After three decades of authoritarian rule under President Suharto, it has transformed into a robust democracy. It re-emerged from the Asian financial crisis as undisputed leader within ASEAN. Read more…
Author: Sri Mulyani Indrawati, World Bank
The global economic recovery remains fragile and uncertain, as risks posed by high energy and food prices, unemployment, and uncertainty over sovereign debt in Europe and the US continue to cloud the horizon.
As key members of the G20, both Indonesia and Australia understand the role of this grouping, and multilateral cooperation generally, in addressing such challenges. Read more…
Author: Fitrian Ardiansyah, ANU
Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest energy producer and consumer.
Its government energy policies are fostering reliance on dirty and subsidised fossil fuels and little progress has been made in increasing renewable energy usage. Read more…
Author: Fitrian Ardiansyah, ANU
This year’s World Environment Day, which sports the theme ‘Forests: Nature at your service’ is likely to be celebrated in a more colourful way in Indonesia.
This may be due to the fact that in the two weeks prior to 5 June, three influential policies were issued by the government. Read more…
Authors: Tim Lindsey, University of Melbourne, and Cate Sumner, Indonesia
Once routinely described as ‘Islam with a smiling face,’ the image of Indonesian Islam has been sullied in recent years by a noisy minority of radicals.
The toxic combination of the violent terrorism of Jemaah Islamiyah, vigilante gangs like the Islamic Defenders Front (Front Pembela Islam), inter-religious civil wars in eastern Indonesia, and local governments legislating conservative versions of sharia have all given the impression to some outsiders of an incipient takeover by what Indonesians call ‘hardliners’ (garis keras). Read more…
Author: Robin Bush, Asia Foundation
Governance is Indonesia’s greatest challenge. In 1998, after 32 years of authoritarianism, Indonesians demanded a democratic system and got one. In the ensuing 13 years Indonesians demonstrated a remarkable commitment to democratic values. They have twice directly elected a president and vice-president, and directly elected over 500 regional executives and over 17,000 regional representatives. The question now is how well these elected officials are governing.
Author: Fenna Egberink, the Netherlands
Tensions over the overlapping claims in the South China Sea (SCS) have mounted in the past months, with hostilities accelerating since the beginning of June.
The row between China, Vietnam and the Philippines has urged current ASEAN chair, Indonesia, to step up. Read more…